Say My Name looking to take another step towards the big-time

He is two from two in terms of his comeback over the last three weeks, but tonight is another step up for Say My Name in his comeback to racing. Ultra impressive last week, after looping the field and sitting outside the pacemaker in Expressive Victor, Say My Name also gets a frontline draw to work with this evening. John was pleased with his recovery from last Friday night and he continues to give all the right signals on the training track.

Tonight's race is over the 2600m and quite possibly the toughest runner for him to beat will be Captain Dolmio, that was driven by John to a stunning win last week. He is presently with the Woodend Beach stable and while last week's win was a suprise to everyone, including John, it was the manner that he did it in - 3.07.7 - that cannot be ignored.

The other stable runner in the last is Joey Maguire a horse that keeps on turning out great performances, but is just finding one or two the better at the moment. He is a place chance based on his honesty alone.

Mighty Flying Mac and Callenberg contest the Gordon Roxburgh for the tighter assessed pacers over the 2600m. Callenberg gets into the race well off the 10m and if he makes his customary good start, driver Gavin Smith will be heading forward positively early. The Cheviot Cup winner three starts ago, Callenberg loves racing on the pace and always gives of his best. While this is a big step up, it would not surprise to see him figure.

Mighty Flying Mac has been somewhat of a revelation since joining the stable. His was a super run in Locharburn's Easter Cup. After getting a good run on the fence, he loomed as a big threat at the 200m, before peaking slightly on his run and running a really good third. He has a class edge over many tonight, but off the 35m handicap, he will need a few things to go his way. He is an eachway hope tonight anyway.

Good three year old Bite The Bullet contests tonight's Group One New Zealand Derby. While he has had a succession of bad draws, tonight's marble may end up a godsend. Drawn one on the second line, he is likely to hold the back of second favourite in Classie Brigade. With that runner having gatespeed and likely also the desire to stay in front controlling the race, Bite The Bullet could be a big beneficiary. While he will still need luck against the best in the country he is a first four hope anyway.

Jag's Invasion is the other stable runner to contest a Group One tonight. He contests the Group One New Zealand Trotting Championship. While drawn well and back in really good form, he will need to be at the top of his game to take on Monbet, Sheemon, Harriet Of Mot and Sunny Ruby. With his best run, he could be thereabouts for the thin end of the first four.

The final runner for the night comes in the first race. Letspendanitetogetha, has impressed winning workouts over the last couple of weeks. In what appears a moderate field formwise, he only needs to overcome his tricky second row draw to be a big factor here.